Torah Portion
Shemini
Leviticus 9:1–11:47
(9:22) Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and blessed them. He then descended from having performed the sin offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offering.
Aaron lifted his hands From this, we learn that the priests lift their hands for the priestly blessing (Sotah 38a).
(10:2) Thereupon fire came forth from before God, and it consumed them, so that they died before God.
EXPLANATION: At the peak of the joyous inauguration service, Nadav and Avihu, Aaron's sons, brought an unauthorized incense offering.
and it consumed them Their souls were burned, but their bodies remained intact (Sanhedrin 52a).
(10:3) Moses said to Aaron, “This is exactly what God meant when He said, 'I will be sanctified through those close to Me, and I will thus be glorified.'” Aaron remained silent.
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